Meet Yaya Designs: Local Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yaya Designs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yaya, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Life was getting harder to dream, but I kept these words as a constant reminder. “Their hair is the canvas to my art” Learning how to draw was a doting task, because well— I can’t draw. But when it came to designing styles with locs, that’s when the artist was born. Styling locs was a hidden talent that crept up on me. I was tired of people saying having locs are boring; or locs are limited styling options. They felt like their hair was undesired— they wouldn’t get  compliments on their styles. It was then it clicked! I wanted to be the answer to the problem. Everybody looked the same, so I said let’s look different! Being different was something I knew too well in life, The more I was different the more people gravitated towards me. I was always getting, where  you from?what’s your name ? how long are your locs? Can I touch it ? In the mist of studying the art of locs styling I learned what different face shapes go with with different shape faces. For example, Diamond shaped faces-should do braids on one side in the locs hanging on the other side. Round shaped faces -a cute bun with a braid in the back coming towards the front. Oval shaped faces -double twist all over with one side higher than the other side. Square shaped faces -make the locs shorter into a Bob shape, with petals so the style would appear to be squared. Heart shaped face- a pin up mohawk with double twist in the back. Oblong shaped face- a bang in the front of the face with French roll in the back. The difference between oval and oblong is one, Oval is Wide and Oblong is Longer. I went on a full pursuit to solve a problem. I decided to give drawing and designing crazy styles a try on myself first. It worked! I got several compliments. People kept saying things like— “Wow, who did that style? I need her number!” “How long did it take?” “Does it hurt?” “Can you sleep with that style?” “I never seen a style like that before can I take a picture of it?” After such an overwhelming amount of compliments. I knew I hit the jackpot! The more I created various styles, the more creative and unique my styles got. It was like my brain was in the driver seat and my fingers would follow. Loop on the right side, then try a loop on the left side, add a cross on the bottom. My Brain and fingers became an unstoppable team— partners in styling. I’ve never seen this for myself, but I’m living the dream. I absolutely love what I do. I’ve gotten so good, the rhythm is consistent my clients trust me hands down. They tell me to freestyle more than anything. But the beauty is I trust myself as well. Working on the fly doesn’t scare me. With a good analyze of my canvas, I’m unstoppable. I’m planning forward; those words give me so much hope. I’m never giving up, and I’ll continue to be different in my own way; with my creativity.  “Your hair is the canvas for my art”

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What set me apart from other? Not just my creative its also my generosity ,determination and patience to my clients. Once you sit in my Golden chair you come in as a client but leave out as my family. My family I wasn’t born with has often said to me it seems like I’ve known you for years on the first time appointment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Funny Story ,I am not the typical type to hang out places because when my best friend come for a weeklong trip we’re doing crazy stuff like buying wine to just fake wine tasting at my apartment. she’s driving me everywhere I want to go like she’s my Chauffeur .she’s cooking food for me because her food taste so Delicious,Bringing out the big speakers in the living room listening to African ,Haitian and soca music while dancing . we are reminiscing how young we were and we didn’t have no responsibility. I’m a different breed I like simple stuff that’s priceless like loving what I have even if it’s hard to have because I work for it or thanking life as the right now moment then later. we Getting away from society and acting like crazy kids as adults .loving life because life speeds up without driving it

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ermanica Paul my voice when I was to scared to Speak ,Kept showing me love and Compassion. Who saw me as some one with greatness. Cherine Thomas my practice Buddy who kept the styles in no matter how they looked Michel Anilus my Confident in my brain who kept pushing me to be Great with in my self. Antoine aka twin my cousin who started this with me and always have my back. We teach each other different techniques. April ford my student that’s going to be great as well and letting me know she had the best teacher . Sirena Prosper was the first person who open her salon doors to me . Lmira Conserve my baby sister Who never let no one use my kindness for weakness My Mamay show me the harder you work anything is possible . Shannon methesier my secret weapon who always make me look good. Chinan Paul my cousin who’s my human Commercial always sporting me everywhere she go once I do her hair. Client’s who been with me seen day one when I was Yanick Yaliza syraji previlus my daughter who gave me that strength to create a future for us as ya-ya designs The first ya is yanick The second ya is Yaliza my legacy.

Instagram: Yayaliza26
Facebook: Yanick theophile
Other: Just ask anybody for yahyah in broward lol

Image Credits
Me…..